Child Died of Condition Doctors did not Disclose, Parents Allege

The parents of a child who died in 2009 will sue the child’s surgeon and a Michigan hospital for medical malpractice in Michigan. They allege that the surgeon and hospital failed to alert the parents about the heart condition that caused the child’s death. The child, a ten-year-old boy, was born with Long QT Syndrome, a treatable but fatal heart defect.
According to a recent article in the Detroit News, the ten-year-old was found dead in his bed the morning of April 17, 2009. Three years earlier, the boy underwent surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids taken out. To prepare for the operation, the surgeon had an electrocardiogram (EKG) performed on the boy to examine his heart. The EKG revealed the long QT problem, but neither the doctor nor the hospital, which was then known as Marlette Community Hospital, ever told the parents or the child’s regular doctor.
The family’s lawyer said that the surgeon and Marlette Community, now known as Marlette Community, committed malpractice when they did not communicate the results of the EKG. He said the parents will sue the surgeon and the hospital in Sanilac Circuit Court for unspecified damages.
Long QT Syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation in the heart. It causes rapid, arrhythmic heartbeats that can lead to seizures or sudden death. The syndrome is treatable through medication, surgery or through implanting a defibrillator.
The accused surgeon declined to comment for the Detroit News story. A spokeswoman for Marlette Regional also declined comment besides to extend the hospitals thoughts and prayers to the 10-year-old’s family.